How can we react to betrayal?

Ki Tisa contains one of the Torah's most memorable scenes. It all begins on Mount Sinai. Moses receives a few more commandments before returning to the Israelites. Just as Israelite society is beginning to take shape, the Israelites screw it up. After 49 days, they assume that Moses has vanished and will not be returning to Sinai. The people of Israel turn to Aaron for guidance. Aaron tells them to collect their jewels. All the jewels were melted into a golden calf. Moses arrives to the scene just as the Hebrews begin to bow down to the statue. After receiving God's most important laws, one of which is not to worship idols, Moses is sent into rage. He smashes the Ten Commandments onto the mountain. Since the Tablets are destroyed, Moses must go back up to the mountain. Once again, Moses receives the laws from God. How do we deal with betrayal? God and Moses demonstrate three, distinct responses.

First, God doubts the capability of the Hebrews and their descendants. When someone has betrayed us, we feel like they have been a fraud all along. We feel worthless to them and the world. In Ki Tissa, God takes Moses aside. Adonai shares with Moses of a possibility to abandon Israel. Just as most of us would, God feels hurt. The Israelites broke a promise. With a little convincing, Moses get God back on the band wagon. People visit the sick when they feel their bodies have deceived them. A successful hospital visit can lift up the fallen. It can make such a difference. If somebody is hurt, the greatest thing we can do is give them support. We need to remind them that they are a person with decent morals.

Second, God and Moses erupt at the people. Duplicity can lead people to become very explosive. We are overcome by emotions. Almost all of us have been in a place where rage can just pour out of our bodies. Our omnipotent God can control this rage, but Moses struggle to stay in control. Instead, Moses smashes the tablets against the mountains. Acrimony causes Moses to lose his right of passage into the Promised Land. Killing a man back in Egypt and this incident inhibit Moses' overall decency. Unfortunately, our moments of most enmity can define our character. Deception can cause fury, but we can not let it get the best of us.

Third, God forgives the people. God knows that treason is part of human nature. Of course, the Israelites remain on thin ice after this point in the Torah. Luckily, God is forgiving. God realizes that people make mistakes. If we did not make mistakes, we would be more than human. Most of us fear God's wrath. I feel that God is more gentle than not. God proves that we will not be abandoned by the Lord. God can forgive us for breaking one of Judaism core principals. Why is it that we are incredibly stingy in forgiving those who forsaken us? Enough of us can become gloomy or frantic, yet our gracious spirit becomes lost when betrayal strikes.

When your golden calf moment comes, remember God and Moses. Remember how God wanted to abandon the people, but did not. Remember how control God's rage was. Remember that Moses was never allowed to enter Israel because of his uproar. Finally, remember that God eventually did forgive us. Which one is best? I guess that is up to us to decide.